Fireworks dessert party arrival time

[okienick]

So we are booked for the fireworks dessert party with plaza garden viewing for HEA in Nov. My question is what time do we really need to arrive? The posted start time is 745pm, but what are we "risking" if we arrive a little later, like 8pm or 815? I thought I remember reading on the boards on another post that the party starts and at a certain point you are walked by a CM down to the plaza garden area. About what time does that occur? Are you able to go back and forth between the garden and the terrace freely? Or do you have to be escorted by a CM? TIA!

 

[SaintsManiac]

So we are booked for the fireworks dessert party with plaza garden viewing for HEA in Nov. My question is what time do we really need to arrive? The posted start time is 745pm, but what are we "risking" if we arrive a little later, like 8pm or 815? I thought I remember reading on the boards on another post that the party starts and at a certain point you are walked by a CM down to the plaza garden area. About what time does that occur? Are you able to go back and forth between the garden and the terrace freely? Or do you have to be escorted by a CM? TIA!

Josh recently reviewed it and recommended 90 minutes before the fireworks.

http://www.easywdw.com/easy/blog/review-happily-ever-after-dessert-party-review-at-magic-kingdom/

 

[GADisneyDad14]

So we are booked for the fireworks dessert party with plaza garden viewing for HEA in Nov. My question is what time do we really need to arrive? The posted start time is 745pm, but what are we "risking" if we arrive a little later, like 8pm or 815? I thought I remember reading on the boards on another post that the party starts and at a certain point you are walked by a CM down to the plaza garden area. About what time does that occur? Are you able to go back and forth between the garden and the terrace freely? Or do you have to be escorted by a CM? TIA!

I posted a review back in May which has some details on times. I normally agree on a lot of Josh's opinions but for us/our style, 7:45 is WAY too early. I like rolling in around 8:15+ better. Grab a couple of desserts, then head over. To me, arriving later risks nothing unless you are totally passionate about where you sit in the garden. One of my main motivations for even booking in the first place is to avoid the wasted time waiting, and I think this successfully accomplishes that.

Here's the link to my detailed post: Review: Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Party with Plaza Garden Viewing

I just did the dessert party again a couple of weeks ago and followed a similar pattern.

Happy to answer any questions.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I think it's more important to arrive early for the Tomorrowland Terrace party because they don't assign seats anymore.

The Plaza party seems more flexible

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I think it's more important to arrive early for the Tomorrowland Terrace party because they don't assign seats anymore.

The Plaza party seems more flexible

Yes, agree with this.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I posted a review back in May which has some details on times. I normally agree on a lot of Josh's opinions but for us/our style, 7:45 is WAY too early. I like rolling in around 8:15+ better. Grab a couple of desserts, then head over. To me, arriving later risks nothing unless you are totally passionate about where you sit in the garden. One of my main motivations for even booking in the first place is to avoid the wasted time waiting, and I think this successfully accomplishes that.

Here's the link to my detailed post: Review: Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Party with Plaza Garden Viewing

I just did the dessert party again a couple of weeks ago and followed a similar pattern.

Happy to answer any questions.

I was thinking we would get there at 8ish, so we can take our time eating as many desserts as possible.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Unless you are doing the terrace party, there is zero reason to show up 90 minutes early or even the posted start time. DS9 and I did the plaza garden party in December and were caught in a deluge while about to board BTMRR (luckily we were inside). By the time the rain subsided and we go to the party, it was about 8:20 pm, which turned out to be perfect for us. By the time we got there, there was no line at check in, plus most people had gotten their desserts already so no crowd at the buffet. Plus, by then, the upper terrace was full so they put us at a table in a completely empty level just above the terrace party guests. It was perfect. We don't need more than 20 minutes to eat dessert. In fact, we were completely done eating by the time they escorted us to the garden. We will try to replicate this when we attend the party again in August. Like you, the reason we book this is so we can maximize park time and not have to wait in a spot for the show, so sowing up 30 minutes late for the party works for us!

 

[WDWLODGE]

Are you permitted to take any desserts with you to the Plaza Garden Area?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Are you permitted to take any desserts with you to the Plaza Garden Area?

You can't take actual plates. They will give you to-go cups for beverages upon request.

 

[okienick]

I posted a review back in May which has some details on times. I normally agree on a lot of Josh's opinions but for us/our style, 7:45 is WAY too early. I like rolling in around 8:15+ better. Grab a couple of desserts, then head over. To me, arriving later risks nothing unless you are totally passionate about where you sit in the garden. One of my main motivations for even booking in the first place is to avoid the wasted time waiting, and I think this successfully accomplishes that.

Here's the link to my detailed post: Review: Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Party with Plaza Garden Viewing

I just did the dessert party again a couple of weeks ago and followed a similar pattern.

Happy to answer any questions.

That's what I wanted to know. I also like what DisneyWishes14 said above...we will probably plan to arrive somewhere between 8 & 15. Thanks for the info!

 

[REEREEG]

We did it in May and got there at 7:45. It was too early. We are going again in a few weeks and will aim for a little after 8pm.